Connecting Readers and Writers discussion

This was posted to another group on Goodreads. This particular spammer/exploiter account has already been deleted. However it's a good warning, because there a lot of them out there and the blog reference at the end gives a really good 'warning signs' explanation.

Hi

I wonder if this has happened to anyone else?

I received an email via Goodreads from someone under the name Emmett Moten. There is no sign of any activity from this person on the site - nothing read, nothing to read, no friends etc.

Furthermore, the reference to my work does not show that he (or she) has read it since it contains no specifics.

I have found the name Emmett Motem online, but it is clearly not this person though, of course, there could be more than one person of that name.

Has anyone else had this email, and what do we think about it?

rod

'Hi Roderick Hart. I just want to say hi and introduce myself - I'm a huge fan of your books! Your dialogue is snappy and it's like I could physically hear every word. Thank you so much for sharing your talent.

As an aspiring author myself, I thought I'd send you a quick message to share a recently discovered website specifically designed for authors to increase the sales of our books. I've personally tried what's offered on that website for the last month and honestly, I was blown away with the results I got! I love your work and admire you as an author, I want more people to experience your books! Everyone deserves to hear your stories so I'm excited to share this website as friendly act of kindness.

You can find it here: ***link deleted*** This website features only the absolute best products for independent authors and publishers.

I want quality work to receive the audience it deserves - nowadays it's so hard to increase sales. P.S. I assure you - I'm not affiliated with this website in any way. Good luck, Roderick Hart!'


Blog on the link: You aren't the only one to get it - check this out:

http://alex-hurst.com/2014/05/18/scam...

And here I thought he really did like my "snappy dialogue." ;-)
By the start of paragraph two I was starting to suspect spammer. By the end of it I was sure.
It happens. I have had dozens similar letters on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter or other social media. Aspiring authors are a hot market for certain people.
Neil Gaiman gave great advice about this kind of thing on his blog several years ago. If you don't know the name of the author, or if their only book on the market is how to get published, make millions, or write a bestseller, guess what? They don't know what they are talking about.

Uh...you probably should delete the link in that spammer's email. Leaving it in is basically just doing their spamming/scamming for them. ;)

I got the same thing from a "female" Goodreads account. I reported it. But I also did an image search on their user pic and found a totally different (and genuine) Goodreads author. They're using the images of real people without their knowledge or consent.

Oh, and I googled the name they used and found some legitimate blogs by someone of the same name, but also some other spammy looking things.

Micah wrote: "Uh...you probably should delete the link in that spammer's email. Leaving it in is basically just doing their spamming/scamming for them. ;)

I got the same thing from a "female" Goodreads account...."

Good catch. Thanks.

**thumbs up!**